Enabling Mobility

Our CSR Mobility Milestones

Wheels@Ubin 2.0

On 2 March 2018, SMRT once again supported the 2nd edition of Wheels@Ubin, which brought more than 120 beneficiaries, including wheelchair users and persons with disabilities to Pulau Ubin.

More than 90 taxi partners from SMRT Taxis and Strides Transportation volunteered their time to ferry these beneficiaries from their homes to Changi Sailing Club. Beneficiaries were then ferried to Pulau Ubin aboard fast crafts from Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and a tour to the RSN Museum was also organised.

Organised by Mr Dennis Quek and Mr Wilson Ang, this community initiative aims to raise awareness of accessibility in Singapore and to encourage individuals to make themselves more accessible to fellow Singaporeans with any form of disability.

SMRT Gift of Mobility Fund

To commemorate 30 years of MRT operations, the SMRT Gift of Mobility (GoM) Fund was unveiled at our annual CSR dinner on 16 August 2017. The Fund pledged $30 million worth of cash and in-kind sponsorships over the coming years to serve the community and build an inclusive society.

The Fund will enable SMRT to make substantial contributions to champion mobility causes and extend its reach particularly to the elderly and persons with disabilities. SMRT is partnering the Community Chest to support those in need from the social service sector. Social service organisations can tap on this integrated giving platform to enable mobility and promote inclusivity in Singapore.

SMRT Gift of Mobility Taxi Vouchers

SMRT Gift of Mobility (GoM) Taxi Vouchers, formerly known as the GoM programme, is a key initiative of this CSR pillar. This programme seeks to help improve the quality of life by providing financial assistance to needy individuals, with physical disabilities and mobility impairment who require taxi services to receive medical treatment, to seek employment or to work until a more permanent transport solution is made available to them.

Since 2008, the GoM programme has helped over 8,000 beneficiaries through the social service organisations, hospitals and Community Development Councils (CDCs).

First Intergenerational Playground Within a Nursing Home

SMRT Corporation pledged S$100,000 towards the development of the playground at St. Joseph's Home and to enable better ties between young and old, and within the community. Located at its new premises at Jurong West, the playground was opened on 28 August 2017 by Senior Minister of State for Health Ms Amy Khor. With the government’s one-for-one matching grant to SMRT’s pledge of $100,000, St Joseph’s Home will be able to support other mobility-related needs as the home expands to its full capacity of just over 400 residents. This intergenerational playground is the first of its kind to be built within a nursing home in Singapore, providing a common space for the home’s residents and children from its infant and childcare centre to interact and play together, improving their overall well-being.

Gardens by the Bay Cruisers

With SMRT's sponsorship, wheelchair users can seamlessly enjoy Gardens by the Bay. The new shuttle fleet will strengthen Gardens by the Bay's shuttle service, which connects visitors arriving at Bayfront MRT Station to the Gardens' key attractions.

A unique feature of the new vehicle is the wheelchair with space at the rear, complete with a foldable access ramp which enables the wheelchair user to board the shuttle without having to first disembark from the wheelchair. This means even motorised wheelchair users are able to enjoy rides on the shuttle with their family and friends.

Inclusive Playgrounds

Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Inclusive Playground

The Bishan-Ang Mo Kio inclusive playground was officially opened by Mr Tan Chuan-Jin, Minister for Social and Family Development on 22 August 2015.

The inclusive playground is made possible by the Care & Share Movement, with SMRT as one of the key donors. The inclusive playground is specially designed to be enjoyed by all children to promote inclusive play so that they can better understand and accept one another. Wheelchair-bound children are able to mount onto a swing to experience the joy and feeling of ‘flying’. There is also a wheelchair-friendly merry-go–round that allows users to enjoy the thrills of spinning around. Other special needs-friendly play features include a slide that provides additional tactile stimulation using rollers and an accessible sand table.

Watch the video and learn more about the Bishan-Ang Mo Kio inclusive playground.Ghim Moh Inclusive Playground

SMRT celebrated the second Inclusive Playground at Ghim Moh, a new, purpose-built recreational facility where young and old, including those with special needs, can spend quality time together. The Ghim Moh Inclusive Playground has specially-designed equipment for children with special needs, such as a wheelchair accessible merry-go-round, and is designed with fitness features that are also elderly-friendly, even for those who are in wheelchairs, thus making it conducive for play and interaction for multi-generational families and communities. The playground is also designed to break down the barriers of play between children with and without special needs, allowing them to play together with their friends and families, and encouraging development of their social and physical skills.

Home Nursing Foundation Vehicle

The Home Nursing Foundation (HNF) announced its tie-up with SMRT as its principal mobility partner, providing point-to-point transportation for its healthcare workers and beneficiaries. In line with its vision of "moving people, enhancing lives", SMRT has sponsored a custom-fitted 14-seater passenger mini bus, equipped with hydraulic lifts and dedicated wheelchair spaces.

JurongHealth Mobility Park

The JurongHealth Mobility Park was officially opened on 7 January 2016 by Ms Low Yen Ling, Mayor for South West Community Development Council. As Singapore’s first outdoor rehabilitative space, the park was constructed with an aim to prepare patients to gain confidence in moving and getting around and reintegrate back into the community after their discharge from the hospital. SMRT sponsored life-size public transportation models in the form of a decommissioned taxi, a low-floor bus mock-up and an MRT train mock-up. SMRT also ensured that features of the static displays in the park, such as the station platform gaps, are as true to life as possible. Complete with safety and mobility features such as wheelchair spaces and emergency communications buttons, healthcare workers can highlight these features to patients undergoing rehabilitation. Service Ambassadors from our train stations in western Singapore will be given the opportunity to attend the workshop at JurongHealth to reinforce their skills in handling commuters who need help, especially those in wheelchairs or with walking aids.

Wheels@Ubin

In June 2015, SMRT supported Wheels@Ubin, a community project which brought 100 wheelchair users on a tour to Pulau Ubin to celebrate SG50. This project by Mr Dennis Quek and Mr Wilson Ang, ensures Pulau Ubin's charms are not closed off to those who are wheelchair-bound. It also promotes an inclusive environment that is mobile-friendly to all.

SMRT Taxis provided 100 taxis to ferry the participants to the jetty from their respective homes. In addition, 30 staff volunteers from SMRT Taxis accompanied the beneficiaries on the visit. The Republic of Singapore Navy and National Parks Board also supported the event by providing the participants with Fast Craft ferry services to Pulau Ubin and facilitating the access at Pulau Ubin respectively.
As a multi-modal public transport operator, our Corporate Social Responsibility pillar of Mobility is of paramount importance to SMRT.

Facilitating Mobility: Wheelchair-Friendly Accessibility

At SMRT, we adopt a holistic approach towards facilitating mobility.

At our train stations, we have upgraded and improved our facilities to cater to the needs of the elderly, the visually impaired and passengers in wheelchairs. There are wheelchair ramps at the barrier-free entrance of stations and wider fare gates that cater to the needs of passengers in wheelchairs or with walking aids. For visually impaired passengers, we have tactile ground surfaces to guide them through the station and Braille-plated lift buttons.

As part of a new initiative, selected MRT stations on the North-South, East-West and Circle Lines have designated Care Zones at train platforms. These Care Zones ensure passenger safety especially for commuters with special needs, children and those who may require extra attention while travelling alone. Prominently located at waiting platforms of the stations, these CCTV-monitored Zones also allow commuters with quick access to Emergency Phones to contact station staff at the Passenger Service Centres for immediate assistance. Care Zones are implemented at the following stations:

North-South & East-West Lines

- Orchard

- City Hall

- Ang Mo Kio

- Tanjong Pagar

- Sembawang

- Outram Park

- Novena

- Bugis

- Woodlands

- Tampines

- Clementi

- Simei

- Buona Vista

Circle Line

- Kent Ridge

Our trains have been modified to have reserved seats for passengers in need which include designated wheelchair spaces in train cabins.

We are committed to improving mobility in our public transport network and on the roads we are increasing our fleet of Wheelchair Accessible Buses (WAB). Currently, more than 70% of our buses are wheelchair-friendly, in line with the Transport Master Plan to target for all public buses to be wheelchair accessible by 2020.

SMRT is also the only taxi operator in Singapore with London Taxis in our fleet. Besides the iconic quaint exterior, the London Taxi’s other unique feature is the fold-down extended ramp with a gentle angle for ease of access for passengers in wheelchair. Our drivers are also trained to provide the necessary care to cater to the needs of passengers in wheelchairs.